Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-06-17
THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.

friend, larry MOOruale, went dS
passenger in the ship Tempest,
bound to Havre, at which port he
arrived in due course of time.
Among other passengers there
was a beautiful Swiss girl, whose
name Harry learned was Mary
Lorme. My friend had yentured
once or twice to address the maid
en-, but her tlmid, modest, half
frightened manner seemed to re-
pei an intimate acquaintanceship.
She had informed the young man,
however, that she had been to New
York to assist a female cousin en-
gagged IN the dry goods business ;
that soon after her arrival there,
her relative had died, largely in
debt, whereupon Mary had con-
cluded to return home to her faith
or, who, in spite of severe illness,
had, in accordance with an agree
ment by letter, come to Dion with
the old family coach to wait for her.
Having learned this much, fairy
took a great interest in the girl, and
felt almost bound to act the knight
for one in her lonely, defenseless
condition.
When the boat, which among
other passengers, contained her
and him, struck the landing, Har-
~ politely offered to carry the fair
ones carpet-bag. She thanked him
with her usual sweet smile. He
took the bag, and the young couple
entered the diligence which was to
carry them to Paris.
There they finally arrived, ten
minutes too late for that days train.
The travellers were informed, how
ever, that there was another train
at a station fifteen miles distant,
preparing to start in five hours.
ais there no conveyance to that
place - Queried Harry.
He was answered in the mega
tive.
81 must 60 onr' exclaimed Mary.
"My father, 1 am afraid, IS very
sick. | must see him as soon as l
can"
"Fifteen miles is a long distance
to walk" said Harry.
"Not for me-" answered Mary,
smiling. "The Swiss, you know,
are great walkers ; l have been
brought up to it almost from In
fancy.'
AS her soft, pleading eyes seem
ed to say, "You must 60 with me-"
Harry could not resist the appeal.
They started, moving along the
railroad, for there was no other
way. When they came to a log or
a rut, Harry would extend his hand
and assist his pretty companion,
when with a smile and a shake of
her head, she would leap over the
obstruction as Dimbly as a fawn.
They had proceeded about ten
miles, when they saw the sun 20
down behind a range of blue hills
in the distance. The two we're now
moving along a high bridge raised
upon spiles about two hundred feet
from the earth, which, beneath it
was rock and inundated here and
there by foaming torrents.
Ahead of them the travellers per
ceived that for a distance Of about
one hundred yards there ,oere no cross
pldRks between the rails. There.
fore, in order to traverse this space,
Mary and her companion must lcGlk
upon the track. Unfortunately the
track was not very broad, yet a
person OF steady balance, capable
Of maintaining his self-possession,
in spite of the yawning abyss on
each side of him, might occasional
ly derive support from the beam
projecting outward several inches
beyond each side of the track,
which was riveted upon it.
Frall support this, however, with
those Jagged rocks two hundred
feet below, ready to receive the un-
fortunate adventurer who should
make the slightest mis.step.
Harry paused, looked at his fair
friend and shuddered.
ave had better turn about" said
he.
care yOW afraidl" she softly in.
quired. Then as his cheek glowed
hotly-"For my sake, mean ~
"FOr your sake; yesp
Mary smiled.
~ have been on the Alps she
said, following those who hunted
on the lev ruins Of precipices for
the chamOis. Therefore, why should
/ shrink nOwT
Still Harry hesitsted. A rail
was different from the edge OF a
preciplce, and the young man al.
most fancied he could already hear
Mary's piercing shrek-cOuld al
ready see her form cleaving the all
headlOng toward those dangerous
rocks beneath.
Meanwhile twilight was gather.
ing; the crimson hues on the sky
were melting away in shadows
The travellers, if intending to at.
tempt the perilOus crossing, had
better do so now while light enough